Surgical binder



latented Mar. 2, 1943 T? QS ortica 1 Claim.

This invention relates to surgical binders adapted for holding surgicaldressings in place after the latter have been applied subsequent to anoperation.

Ordinarily, surgical dressings will slip while the patient moves around,in the event that the -dressing is loosely applied, or the dressing willexert intolerable pressure when applied tightly to prevent slipping.

The primary object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide abinder which will effectively hold the post operative dressing in place,so that said dressing may be loosely applied to avoid excessive pressureupon the patient. In addition, the present binder will in no wayrestrict movement of the patient to whom it is applied.

The present invention consists in the novel form, combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described in theaccompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a surgical binder adapted to holdabdominal dressings in place, the binder being applied to the patientand shown looking towards the front.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l loo-king towards the rear or backof the binder.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the binder shown in Figures l and 2 removedfrom the patient and placed in open or flat form.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the abdominal binder of Figures 1 to3, inclusive, includes a substantially rectangular body portion 5 madeof suitable elastic mesh fabric which will allow sufficient limitedstretching and provide for ventilation. This body portion is slotted atequally spaced points between its vertical edges as at G and l, the slotbeing Wider and extending from the lower edge of the body portion 5 to apoint near the upper edge thereof and being adapted to be placed at therear of the patient when used. The narrower and shorter slot 1 is placedat the front and extends upwardly from the lower edge of the bodyportion 5 to a. point slightly above the horizontal center of the bodyportion 5 as shown clearly in Figure 3. The edges of the body portion atthe slots 6 and 'l are suitably reeniorced by cloth binding as at 8, andthe free vertical edges of the body portion 5 are also provided withcloth bindings as at S and 9a. Attached to the respective bindings 9 and9a, are the coacting members l and 10a of separable fasteners whichfacilita-te placing the binder upon the patient. nently joined b-ystitching.

Sewed along the lower edge of the body portion 5 are strips of fabric asat Il, Ha. and Hb, the ends of the strips llrand Ila at opposite sidesof the larger slot 8 being provided with extensions forming leg bands l2and I2a.. These leg bands are adapted to pass around the inner sides ofth patients legs and then attachedv to the ends of the bands IIb and llarespectively at opposite sides of the smaller slot 1. For suchattachment separable fastener members i3 and l3a. may be providedrespectively on the free ends of thev bands I2 and I2a, and on the endsof the strips l la. and i Ib adjacent opposite sides of the smallerslot 1. Thus, the bands l2 and I2a aid in conforming the binder to theproper portion of the body and prevent upward slipping of the binder.

The form of the invention illustrated and described will eifectivelyhold a surgical dressing in place and permit such dressing to be appliedin a loose comfortable manner, at the same time restricting in no waythe desirable movement of the patient.

It will be noted that the slots l and 8 are 0f such size and locationthat the user of the binder, shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, mayfollow the call of nature, without removing the binder. Also, the bindermay open from the slot 8 upwardly, instead of at the side as shown.

What I claim as new is:

A surgical binder adapted to hold surgical dressings in place whenloosely applied and without restricting movement of the patient,comprising a body portion adapted to be conformed to the part of thebody on which the dressing is placed and composed generally of elasticmesh fabric, and band means applied tothe lower edge of the body portionof the binder and adapted to conform the body portion to the patient andfasten it against upward displacement, said body portion having equallyspaced Vertical slots extending upwardly from its lower edge, one ofsaid slots being relatively wide and extending near the upper edge ofthe body portion, the other slot being relatively narrower andterminating slightly above the horizontal center of the body porl tion,certain of said band means having extensions at opposite sides of theWider and longer slot adapted to pass around the inner sides of thewearers leg and to fasten'to the body portion at opposite sides of theshorter narrower slot, the upper portion of the body portion beingadapted to pass around the abdomen. f

ELLEN DREW.

However, these edges may be perma-

